If your car has been scratched, scuffed or marked there are many ways you can solve the problem yourself without going to a professional, assuming the damage is not too great of course.

You may have heard the horror stories of cars being ‘fixed’ by an over-enthusiastic Do-It-Yourselfer, that end up looking 1000 times worse than when they started.

Of course, any project has an element of risk, but if you take the time to read (then re-read) the steps you need to take and ensure you don’t wear the car’s clear coat down too far, you should be just fine.

First and foremost, work out whether you are dealing with a mark or a scratch by running your fingernail over it at 90 degrees to determine if paint has been gouged or if it is on the surface itself.

Scratches, chips and scuffs:

If you would rather not splash out on any fancy products, it might be worth trying the toothpaste method – whitening toothpaste is considered the best option for this.

Dispense a small amount onto a soft, damp cloth and rub on the affected surface using small, circular motions.

This is a fairly simple method, yet effective in most cases, as it gently sands down the area and works to fill in the gap.

Alternatively, get yourself a polishing compound to polish out the imperfection which can be applied using a pad or microfiber cloth.

Be sure to clean the car before you start and then use a clean cloth to buff it dry afterwards.

Spray Paint:

Unless you are exploring your creative side by decorating your car, spray paint is rarely a welcome addition to any vehicle.

If you are fortunate enough to notice it before it has a chance to dry, usually within 24 hours of application, then soap and water may help. However, there are a few methods available that you can try that range in price and the level of effort required.

Generally regarded as the safest and best way to tackle spray paint, without damaging the original paint work, the clay bar is also one of the priciest.

A standard kit will include lubricant, a cloth and wax but you can buy the clay bar separately if you wish.